Classic Horrors Return for Halloween at The Picture House Uckfield

The Picture House Uckfield and The Atrium East Grinstead are bringing a festival of fear to Sussex this October as the annual Halloween Horrorthon returns with a packed programme of cult classics, Gothic greats and immersive events. Running throughout the month, the season will feature themed screenings, fancy dress competitions, trivia, and guest introductions from filmmaker Corin Hardy.

Hardy, best known for The Nun and The Hallow, has recorded exclusive introductions for three of the festival’s most revered titles – The Curse of Frankenstein, Night of the Living Dead and The Phantom of the Opera – reflecting on their lasting influence on modern horror.

The event begins on 16 October with an immersive screening of The Lost Boys, Joel Schumacher’s 1987 cult favourite that turned the vampire myth into glossy 1980s rebellion. The film, starring Kiefer Sutherland and Jason Patric, remains a defining pop-horror of its era, pairing rock music, teenage angst and bloodlust with unforgettable style. Audiences are invited to dress up, take part in quizzes and enjoy themed cocktails served by the cinema’s own “Frog family” hosts.

On 19 and 20 October, Richard Donner’s The Omen returns to the big screen in Uckfield before closing the Horrorthon at East Grinstead on 1 November. Starring Gregory Peck and Lee Remick, the 1976 film helped to define the era of prestige horror, presenting the Antichrist in a chillingly domestic light.

The programme continues on 29 October with Strange Journey: The Story of Rocky Horror, a documentary tracing the rise of Richard O’Brien’s The Rocky Horror Show from fringe theatre to cultural phenomenon. The film features new interviews with O’Brien, Tim Curry and Susan Sarandon, capturing the rebellious spirit that made The Rocky Horror Picture Show a permanent fixture of midnight cinema.

Hammer Horror takes the spotlight on 30 October with a newly restored 4K presentation of The Curse of Frankenstein, the 1957 classic that launched the studio’s distinctive brand of Technicolor terror. Peter Cushing’s obsessive scientist and Christopher Lee’s tragic creature established the tone for a decade of British horror dominance.

The following night pairs two very different landmarks of fear. George A. Romero’s Night of the Living Dead screens in a rare high-definition restoration from 35mm, offering audiences the chance to experience the film that created the modern zombie genre. Also showing is the 100th anniversary screening of The Phantom of the Opera, featuring Lon Chaney’s groundbreaking performance and Jack Pierce’s pioneering makeup design. The silent classic, first released in 1925, continues to influence generations of filmmakers for its mixture of romance, tragedy and terror beneath the Paris Opera House.

With its blend of immersive fun and cinematic history, the Halloween Horrorthon offers something for everyone – from those revisiting childhood favourites to audiences discovering horror’s most influential works on the big screen. Tickets are on sale now via The Picture House Uckfield and The Atrium East Grinstead websites.

For more information, visit: picturehouseuckfield.com/